pr a xis News from Hartford Seminary • August 2012 • Vol. XXIV • No. 2
New York Rabbinical What’s In This Issue:
Students, in Pioneering Kim named dean page 3
Program, Study at Hartford McMurtry named chair of board page 4 Seminary New trustees page 5
Left: Professor Yehezkel Landau talks with Fran Snyder Najib Awad, new faculty, on campus page 5 When Fran Snyder, a student at the Jewish eological Seminary in New York City, Non-denominational started the Building Abrahamic Partnerships class at Hartford Seminary in June, she research, mosque report page 7 assumed “there would be ‘make-nice talk’ and surface learning.” New Staff: Sami Shamma; Susan Wright What Snyder did not anticipate was being drawn in, personally. page 9
“Sitting in a room for an entire week, talking and learning, testing the deeper waters -- Ayoub receives distinguished scholar say, the politics of the Middle East and how that influences our thinking about each award page 9 other, leaving the room only to take meals but together, has an accumulated effect on our feelings,” she said. Continued on Page 2 Evening at the Metropolitan Museum page 10 Smith Named New Black Ministries Banquet page 10 Testament Professor Graduation 2012 page 11
e Board of Trustees of Hartford Seminary and President Students Win Prizes page 11 Heidi Hadsell have named Dr. Shanell T. Smith, a New Testament scholar, to the faculty at Hartford Seminary. Alumna Profile page 12 Alumni/ae Notes Smith was appointed Assistant Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, page 12 effective August 1. Obituaries page 13 Fall Educational Events “I am delighted that Shanell Smith will be joining the faculty at Hartford Seminary,” page 15 Hadsell said. “Shanell is an innovative thinker who brings a fresh approach to New Fall Course Schedule page 17 Testament scholarship. She has a passion for teaching in a Seminary context and a deep desire to mentor students, helping them develop the skills to become leaders in their ministry settings.” Continued on Page 6 Partnerships
New York Rabbinical Students, in Pioneering Program, Study at Hartford Seminary (continued)
interests and concerns, Twenty-five students were enrolled – seven and common curiosity -- Jews, eight Muslims and ten Christians. that we all hit a point of losing inhibitions about Hartford Seminary has offered BAP 14 asking or commenting times over the past eight years. Participants (respectfully, of course!),” learn about the tenets and practices of the Kremer said. three faiths, study texts from their respective scriptures together, attend worship at a “is week showed me mosque, synagogue, and church, and the value of interfaith acquire pastoral skills useful in interfaith work, of group ministry. Jason Kirschner with classmates on the final day of the class interaction, and of a well- structured program. Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in “We begin to like each other and want to Particularly gratifying was seeing (and Interfaith Relations at Hartford Seminary trust each other. A Roman Catholic friend feeling) the growing ease and trust among and director of BAP, praised the new of mine told me a story about a priest who the participants. What apprehension I had partnership. “Jews, Muslims, and Christians was his teacher; the priest said, ‘It's good about discussing religion (and other things) throughout North America need visionary that the Gospel tells us to love one another, with those of other faiths was dispelled. I religious leaders to help them understand not like one another.’ And as a political look forward to putting this experience into that our common future requires mutual premise, I think that's fine and good. It action when (if not before) I am serving a understanding, sensitivity, and cooperation acknowledges that 'like' is more difficult congregation,” he said. among our communities of faith. than 'love.' 'Like' takes more time and effort. BAP affords both,” Snyder said. “Both JTS and Hartford Seminary are committed to Fran Snyder and two other JTS students training faithful leaders for enrolled in the BAP course under a our increasingly pluralistic pioneering agreement between Hartford society who demonstrate Seminary and JTS. e cooperation these qualities in their between the two seminaries was made religious vocations,” possible by a $25,000 grant from the Prior Landau said. Family Foundation, which will enable JTS students to study at Hartford Seminary A key component of the during the next three years. (left to right) Jonathan Kremer, Fran Snyder program involves the and Jason Kirschner opportunity for the JTS A second JTS student, Jonathan Kremer, Building Abrahamic Partnerships is an students to live on campus in Hartford also spoke highly of the experience and the eight-day intensive course for Jewish, while attending intensive classes such as class: Christian, and Muslim students that offers a BAP during the summer. In this way, practical foundation for mutual students will benefit from a lived experience “e informal gatherings and meals out understanding and cooperation among the of what is learned in the classroom. with smaller groupings were great! Also three religions. It started on Sunday, June 24 notable were the camaraderie, shared and continued through Sunday, July 1. Continued on Page 8
2 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • New Dean
Uriah Kim Named Interim Academic Dean at Hartford Seminary
e Rev. Dr. Uriah Kim, studies, and to serve as a credible. It is a moment like this that makes Professor of Hebrew Bible, professor at Hartford Seminary is me feel good about teaching at Hartford is the new Interim Academic a result of my sincere desire to Seminary.” Dean of Hartford Seminary, know the truth, to love God, and effective August 1. to serve others,” Kim said. Kim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy at New York University, a Master Hartford Seminary Recently in the Seminary’s Praxis of Divinity degree at Princeton eological President Heidi Hadsell newsletter, Kim wrote about why Seminary and a Master of eology degree at made the announcement. he likes teaching at Hartford Emory University. He received his Ph.D. Seminary: from the Graduate eological Union in Kim succeeds e Rev. Dr. James Nieman, Berkeley, CA, in 2004. who left the Seminary at the end of July to “I like and value our students’ wisdom that become President of the Lutheran School of comes from life experiences and admire and Previously he was Assistant Professor of eology at Chicago. appreciate their commitment to theological Religious Studies at Canisius College in education. I think one anecdote would Buffalo, NY and Visiting Professor at Yonsei “I am very pleased that Uriah has accepted suffice to capture my feeling. About once a University, Seoul, South Korea, and Pacific this important position at Hartford year, usually when I teach the course on School of Religion, Berkeley, CA. Seminary,” Hadsell said. “Uriah is an prophets, I share my feeling of dissatisfaction excellent scholar who has shown great skill in about being a seminary professor. I tell them Kim has published “ Decolonizing Josiah: developing new, fresh interpretations of that I wish I were a scientist because I believe Toward a Postcolonial Reading of the Hebrew Bible texts and also an excellent I would’ve had more opportunities (and Deuteronomistic History ” and “ Identity and colleague who has worked collaboratively money) to do positive things for the world. Loyalty in the David Story: A Postcolonial with faculty and staff at the Seminary on a Reading. ” Forthcoming are “ e Politics of variety of initiatives.” “I’m always surprised but pleasantly so by Othering in the Book of Judges: A Postcolonial their reaction. ey strongly disagree that Reading ” and “ 1 & 2 Chronicles. ” “I am confident that Uriah will contribute what I’m doing is less valuable than what I’d significantly to keeping Hartford Seminary have done as a scientist. In fact, they argue He is a member of the American Academy of academically innovative,” Hadsell said. that what I teach is invaluable. Religion, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Asian Pacific Americans and Religion Kim also directs the Seminary’s Cooperative “If these words had come from younger folk Research Initiative. Master of Divinity program. He was Senior who had less experience in life than me, I Editor of Reviews in Religion and eology, may have taken their encouragement and Hadsell said that a Search Committee will be a quarterly publication, for four years. affirmation with a pinch of salt. However, appointed to fill the Academic Dean position knowing that many of our students have had on a permanent basis. a “My decision to go to a seminary after years of experience in the real world and have college, to do doctoral studies in biblical chosen to study theology makes their words
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 3 • Board of Trustees
McMurtry Named Chair of Board of Trustees
Vanda McMurtry, McMurtry added that his priorities as Chair clients on issues regarding corporate tax, a lawyer and will be to intensify the interfaith focus of health care reform, insurance and financial business consultant Hartford Seminary, to increase the size and services, and employee benefits. He holds who has been diversity of the student body and to attract special expertise in lobbying and strategic associated with the very best scholars and teachers to the planning. In his career, he has represented Hartford Seminary faculty. large corporations, sovereign governments as a corporator and and research universities. trustee for nearly McMurtry succeeds William J. Cronin, who 20 years, has been elected Chair of the will remain on the Board as Chair Emeritus. When not at work, McMurtry enjoys being Seminary’s Board of Trustees for a three-year with his family, listening to music, traveling, term. Previously McMurtry was a senior executive reading, and spending time outdoors, with Aetna, Cornell University, and the especially on the many hiking trails in the McMurtry is a partner with Davis & University of Pennsylvania. He has served as Finger Lakes Region of New York. Harman LLP, a law firm in Washington, a senior staff member in both the U.S. Senate D.C., that specializes in employee benefits and the U.S. House of Representatives, A native of rural Minnesota and former and insurance taxation. including a four-year stint as Staff Director resident of Farmington, CT, McMurtry and Chief Counsel of the Senate Finance brings a practical, problem-solving approach McMurtry, who joined the Board of Trustees Committee. to his work. "I look for the big picture when in 2000, said “With its dedication to I approach a problem. I try to bring people interfaith dialogue, its history of supporting “I look forward to working with Van in together around potential solutions," he said. people and communities of faith in practical leading Hartford Seminary because he brings ways, its cutting-edge research and its great insight into the future of higher McMurtry has a J.D. from Georgetown commitment to public engagement, education and its challenges and University, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Hartford Seminary is unique in American opportunities,” Heidi Hadsell, Hartford Philosophy from Cornell University and an higher education. I consider it at once a Seminary President, said. “Van also M.A.S. in Public Administration from the privilege and an opportunity to be asked to appreciates our commitment to interfaith Johns Hopkins University. a work with the board, administration, faculty understanding and the importance of and student body of an institution that is preparing leaders for a plural world.” making such an important difference in today’s world.” At Davis & Harman, McMurtry advises
Bishop Disani Christopher Senyonjo, D.Min. ’83, met former President Barbara Brown Zikmund at an AIDS Conferences in Washington, D.C. in July. Bishop Senyonjo is a strong advocate for LGBT people in the face of great discrimination in Uganda. He is Bishop of West Buganda and lives in Masaka, Uganda.
4 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Board of Trustees
New Trustees
Elected to the Board of Trustees at the May 2012 Annual Meeting were:
e Rev. Dr. Karen Bailey-Francois, a Hartford moderator of the Hartford Association, member of the Executive Seminary alumna and associate pastor of Committee, and founder/facilitator of the Cooperative Ecumenical Ellington Congregational Church, Ellington, Ministry with Children and Youth. Dr. Bailey-Francois is chair of CT. She has served at Storrs Congregational Hands on Hartford; for Hands on Hartford, she was interim program Church, First Church of Christ in Hartford and director of the Center for Youth. She earned a B.Sc. and M.B.A. from Union Congregational Church in Vernon, CT. the University of Vermont, a Master of Divinity from Andover Dr. Bailey-Francois has held a number of Newton eological School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Hartford positions with the Connecticut Conference of Seminary. the United Church of Christ, including
Dr. Abubaker Ahmed Al Shingieti, Executive government positions in Sudan during the 1990’s. He was the Director of the International Institute of Director of Political Affairs at the Presidency; Secretary General of Islamic ought (IIIT) in Herndon, VA. He Sudan’s Information Council, and diplomat with Ambassador Rank at also is the Vice President for Islamic the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For over a decade, he was involved in Programs at the International Center for the search for peace in Sudan, particularly in building bridges with the Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) and United States that helped facilitate a greater and more constructive President of American Muslims for role for the United States in the peace process in Sudan. During the Constructive Engagement (AMCE). Dr. past six years, Dr. Shingieti played a pivotal role in bringing together Shingieti has been a Research Associate at American Muslim community leaders with policymakers from the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Georgetown different U.S. government circles. Dr. Shingieti earned a B.Sc. University School of Foreign Service. In addition, he served as editor (Honors) in Architecture from the University of Khartoum, a of Islamic Horizons, a monthly magazine of the Islamic Society of graduate diploma from the Institute of African and Asian Studies at North America and was a founding member of the Society for Islamic the University of Khartoum, and a Ph.D. in Communications from ought and Culture in Khartoum, Sudan. Dr. Shingieti held key the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MA. a
Najib Awad, new theology professor, starts at Hartford Seminary
Uriah Kim, interim academic dean, at right, greets Najib Awad, the newly-appointed Associate Professor of Christian eology, who will teach Introduction to Christian eology in the fall semester.
Awad also will serve as Director of the International Ph.D. Program. He will work with the University of Exeter, the Seminary’s partner in the program, overseeing formal agreements, academic standards, and overall structure. He also will represent the program to external constituencies. a
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 5 • New Professor
Smith named New Testament Professor (continued)
Smith said that she decided to come to Biblical Studies, was “Empire, Gender and “My priorities will include getting to know Hartford Seminary because she was attracted Ambiveilence: Toward a Postcolonial my colleagues, their scholarly interests, and to its multi-faith community, which makes Womanist Interpretation of the Woman goals for their students in efforts to for great opportunities for a rich curriculum, Babylon in the Book of Revelation.” contribute most effectively and efficiently not liturgy, and most only to the advancement of each other’s especially, dialogue. Previously, Smith was an scholarship, but also to the quality of instructor at Drew education that our students receive, and the “At Hartford University and a collective goals of the Seminary,” Smith said. Seminary, faculty Teaching Assistant at and students are Princeton eological “Of equal importance will be my intentional able to identify Seminary. She is a effort to know my students, their ambitions, both similarities member of the and what they desire from the education they and differences American Academy of receive. My primary tasks will be to inspire between their Religion and the Society and challenge my students by bringing faiths, helping them to realize that despite of Biblical Literature (SBL), serving on the together faith and intellect, and to help them any differences they can work together Committee for Underrepresented Racial and acquire and hone the skills that are necessary toward common goals. I must also say that Ethnic Minorities in the Profession. In 2011, for the practice of ministry,” she said. when I visited Hartford Seminary, the faculty Smith served on the Steering Committee of and staff were so welcoming, and interested the African American Biblical Hermeneutics In the fall semester, Smith will teach “New in me as a person and not just what I can do Program Unit of SBL. Testament Survey.” for the Seminary, that it just felt right,” Smith said. Smith wrote “A Perspective on Revelation” in Outside work, Smith says, “I love spending “Global Perspectives on the Bible” (Pearson quality time with family (tossing the football, Smith also will serve as coordinator of the Prentice Hall, forthcoming 2012). playing classic games such as Sorry, Seminary’s International Ph.D. program, Operation, and now Wii). I also love working with the University of Exeter on the Smith described the strength of Hartford cooking, listening to music, writing poetry, operation of the program and as liaison for Seminary as “a leader and trendsetter in running, watching movies....I could go on!” student progress. interreligious dialogue and concerns.” a
Smith has a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers She added, “One of the biggest problems University, a Master of Divinity from that I see that hinders unity in diversity with Princeton eological Seminary, and a regard to various religious groups is ignorance Doctor of Philosophy from the Graduate -- that is, a lack of knowledge about each Division of Religion at Drew University in other’s' religious beliefs and tenets. With Madison, N.J. open, honest, and critical communication, people of different religious faiths will begin Her dissertation topic, for which Drew to see points of ‘working’ intersections where awarded her the Rabbi Dr. Sheldon J. commonality can lead to cooperative Weltman Prize for the Best Dissertation in collaboration on certain goals.”
6 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Faculty in the News
Profile of Nondenominational and Independent Churches Released e 2010 U.S. Religious Congregations & Membership Study was released on May 1 by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Scott umma, Professor of Sociology of Religion at Hartford Seminary, participated in the study, collecting data on non- denominational churches. Read the Report by Professor umma » Excerpt: If the nation’s independent and nondenominational churches were combined into a single group they would represent the third largest cluster of congregations in the country, following the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention; second largest number of churches – following the Southern Baptist. Overall, this research found over 35,000 churches representing more than 12,200,000 adherents. In total, four percent of the US population worships in an independent or nondenominational church. a
Comprehensive Study of U.S. Mosques
e second report from the US Mosque The major findings of the new mosque report are: Survey 2011, which is a comprehensive study of mosques in America, was • Mosques in America have a good record of engaging in a wide variety of released in June. e first report focused activities including: on the basic demographics of mosques • Worship—77% of mosques conduct all five daily prayers (salah) and attitudes of mosque leaders to • Social and Group Activities—93% organize community gatherings America and involvement in American society. is second report • Interfaith—79% are involved in interfaith activities focuses on mosque activities, administration and vitality • Outreach—63% conducted an open house in the last 12 months • Social and community service activities—44% are involved in A coalition of major American Muslim and academic community social justice activities organizations, including Hartford Seminary, released the report. To • Mosques are under-staffed. Only 44% of all Imams are full-time and paid. conduct the survey, researchers counted all mosques in America Half of all mosques have no full-time staff. Program staff such as youth and then conducted telephone interviews with mosque leaders. directors or outreach directors account for only 5% of all full-time staff. More than 2,000 mosques were counted and more than 500 • Mosques are under-financed. While mosque attendance is higher than leaders were interviewed. other American religious congregations, mosque budgets are less than half the budget of other congregations. e full report - e American Mosque 2011 - report 2 is available • Almost half (48%) of Imams have at least a BA in Islam. This is an increase in PDF format. from 2000 when 37% of Imams had some formal degree. • The role of the Imam in the mosque is evolving. In 26% of all rmosques, Sponsors of the U.S. Mosque Survey 2011 include: e Hartford the Imam is not considered the leader, and in 55% of mosques the Imam Institute for Religion Research (Hartford Seminary), the is considered the leader (19% of mosques do not have an Imam). This is a Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, the significant change from 2000 when in 40% of mosques the Imam was not Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Islamic Society of the leader and in 41% of mosques the Imam was considered the leader. North America, the Islamic Circle of North America, and the • Mosques, which have an Imam, follow three basic governance patterns: in International Institute of Islamic ought. 47% of mosques the Board and Imam share responsibilities whereby the Board runs administrative aspects of the mosque and the Imam runs e U.S. Mosque Survey 2011 is part of a larger study of American religious and educational aspects; in 31% of mosques the Imam is in congregations called Faith Communities Today (FACT), which is a charge of all aspects of the mosque; and in 22% the Board is in charge of project of the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, a most aspects and the Imam has a minor role. collaborative, multifaith coalition of American faith communities • Mosque leaders report that their mosques have a relatively high level of affiliated with Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion spirituality, brotherhood and sense of purpose. a Research.
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 7 • Partnerships
New York Rabbinical Students, in Pioneering Program, Study at Hartford Seminary (continued)
promoting investment in the Caribbean. He graduated from Holy Cross College and currently serves as a member of its President’s Advisory Council.
His law degree came from Harvard Law School, followed by graduate work at the University of Säo Paulo Law School as a Fulbright Scholar.
Gertrude Prior practiced law in Washington, D.C., before becoming president of Coral Jonathan Kremer talks with colleagues in the class World Ocean Park. She is a former e third JTS participant, Jason Kirschner, e unusual partnership drew the attention President of the Hebrew Congregation of St. cited this interaction as a highlight, saying of e Hartford Courant newspaper, which omas and currently serves as a member of he was enriched by “the various published a front-page interview with the the Board. opportunities for socializing and informal three JTS students. interaction between participants.” “It gave e program is further evidence of Hartford me a chance to get to know the individuals is recent gift by the Prior Family Seminary’s precedent-setting approach to regardless of their viewpoints and helped me Foundation to enable the partnership theological education. e Seminary offers build skills for interacting with individuals reinforces an earlier gift of $500,000 that the only accredited program to educate across religious lines,” Kirschner said. the Prior Foundation made toward an Muslim chaplains and in the past year has endowed faculty chair at Hartford Seminary begun certificates for imams and Muslim When the program was announced, in Abrahamic Partnerships. community leaders and for chaplains serving Seminary President Heidi Hadsell said, “It is in multifaith contexts. vitally important to prepare religious leaders Cornelius B. Prior, Jr., chairman of Atlantic of all faiths to lead their faith communities Tele-Network Inc., headquartered in Kremer said the joint program “offered an in an increasingly plural environment. Beverly, MA, is the grantor of the Prior opportunity that was hard to pass up.” “I Hartford Seminary is a key player in this Family Foundation. Gertrude J. Prior, have had social contact (mostly in my effort, through our various interfaith president and general manager of Coral neighborhood) with people of varied faiths, initiatives and now through this program.” World Ocean Park in St. omas, V.I., is but we rarely, if ever, discuss religion,” he trustee. She serves on the Board of Trustees said. Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, Appleman of Hartford Seminary. Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Now, he said, “BAP gave me greater Studies and Director of the Milstein Center Cornelius Prior practiced law and sensitivity to other religions' beliefs and for Interreligious Dialogue at JTS, added, investment banking in New York City practices, and helped me understand “e opportunity for rabbinical students before co-founding Atlantic Tele-Network differences between religious demands and from the Jewish eological Seminary to (ATN) in 1987. He is the chairman of cultural practices. Another goal was to prove study at Hartford Seminary in the multi- ATN, a public telecommunications industry to myself that I could explain — in cogent faith environment of Christian and Muslim holding company and the chairman of and even compelling ways— Jewish belief colleagues is a Godsend,” Caribbean – Central American Action and practice to those of other faiths.” a (CCAA), a not-for-profit organization
8 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Faculty in the News
Mahmoud Ayoub Receives Distinguished Scholar Award
Professor Mahmoud Ayoub, Faculty Associate in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary, has received the 2012 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Institute of Islamic ought (IIIT) for his leadership in the Institute's Summer Institute for Scholars.
Dr. Ayoub, who received the award at a ceremony on Wednesday, July 18, said that he is honored by the recognition. He also Left to right, Abubaker al-Shingieti, Executive Director of the praised the Institute for its commitment to "Islamic studies and Muslim International Institute of Islamic Thought and Board member, Unity." He complimented Jamal al-Barzinji, vice president of IIIT, and Hartford Seminary; Jamal Barzinji, Vice President of IIIT; and Abubaker Al Shingieti, executive director, for their creative leadership. Professor Mahmoud Ayoub
e Summer Institute for Scholars 2012 started at IIIT headquarters in Herndon, VA, on July 9 with an opening lecture on “Ethics and Government: IbnTaymiyya Against Extremism” by Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary. e theme of the gathering this year was “Good Governance in Islam: Classical and Contemporary Approaches." a
New Staff: Sami Shamma; Susan Wright
Sami Shamma is the new Administrative Assistant at the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian- Muslim Relations and Coordinator for Distance Learning. Sami, who is the first graduate of the Seminary’s Certificate in Imam and Muslim Community Leadership, also will assist with student life on campus and will teach courses and seminars on Arabic Language and the use of technology in writing. Sami has studied Electrical Engineering. He has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and finished his Master of Arts in Islamic Studies. Sami comes to Hartford from Virginia, where he taught Qur’anic Arabic and worked in Information Technology. Sami served as an Imam in Fredericksburg, VA. He has spent many years in the commercial world where he ran his own companies and traveled the world extensively. Sami has three sons and is passionate about life in general and the Arabic language and poetry in particular. Sami is a SCUBA dive master and Class (A) Builder.
Susan Wright of Manchester is the new Associate Director of Institutional Advancement. She was the Development Associate and Volunteer Coordinator at VNA HealthCare for the past four years. In her work there, she was involved in the department’s major fundraising events. As well as coordinating the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheons, Susan was a team member coordinating this year’s prestigious Nightingale Nursing Awards dinner which was hosted by the agency. Her past professional background includes management positions in marketing and advertising and retail businesses. As a member of Unity Church of Hartford, she served as President of the Board of Trustees as well as co-chair of the church’s capital campaign committee and helped organize fundraising events to support the community’s move from West Hartford to the new facility in South Windsor. As a past member of the Worship Team, she assisted in Sunday services leading the congregation in prayer. Susan has a wide range of personal interests, many of which are in a variety of art and design media and techniques, and is a sewing and quilt making enthusiast. She has donated a number of her finished quilts to groups for their particular fundraising efforts. She is also an avid reader and loves to travel to learn more about different communities and cultures. a
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 9 • Past Events
Islamic Art Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Hartford Seminary hosted an evening gathering at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Saturday, May 12 -- partly to enjoy the Museum’s new “Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia,” and partly to enjoy a reception in the company of Seminary supporters, program partners, students, graduates, trustees, faculty, staff, and old and new friends.
Please enjoy these additional photos of the event. »
Remarks by President Heidi Hadsell » a
Trustee Amy Robinson views one of the museum pieces.
Bishop Thomas Hoyt Speaks at Hartford Seminary
Senior Bishop omas L. Hoyt, Jr., Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, was the main speaker at the 2012 Graduation Banquet of the Black Ministries Program, which he founded. e banquet was held on May 31.
e Black Ministries Program (BMP) is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Bishop Hoyt discussed its founding and its importance to the urban communities that it has served.
He also delivered the charge to graduates during graduation ceremonies at the Seminary on Friday, June 1. Two celebrants at the banquet e Black Ministries Program is a national model for building the e current director of the program is Bishop Benjamin K. Watts, leadership, training and preaching skills of laity and clergy in the Faculty Associate in Religion and Community Life. Dr. Watts also is urban church. Men and women, deeply concerned about the fate of Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in New London, CT. our society, enroll to become effective leaders and advocates. More banquet photographs are available online » a Since its founding in 1982, BMP has prepared more than 1,000 men and women for effective service.
10 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Celebrations
Celebrating Graduation 2012
On June 1, a beautiful spring evening, Hartford Seminary held its 2012 graduation ceremony. Professor Ingrid Mattson delivered a moving graduation address.
More photographs from the ceremony are available online »
Faculty during the ceremony
Jennifer Sanborn receives her Master of Arts hood from her husband and family
Hartford Seminary Awards Three Writing Prizes
ree Hartford Seminary students have been Jean Amos Lys, a student in the Master of of Private Islam: Hamza Yusuf’s Political awarded prizes for their scholarship and Arts Program, has received a scholarship from eology” writing. the William ompson Fund for his paper, “Reflection on the Book of Job: Do We Fear e Bennett Tyler Scholarship Fund provides Amy Poppinga, a student in the International God for Nothing?” a course tuition waiver to any student of the Ph.D. Program, has received a scholarship Seminary (degree or certificate) who has from the Hartranft Scholarship Fund for her e William ompson Fund provides a demonstrated “excellence in written paper, “Setting Priorities: Sexual Abuse of course tuition waiver to a degree program expression.” e prize is in the name of the Children as an Individual and Communal student who “has demonstrated notable first president of Hartford Seminary, Bennett Responsibility in Islam.” proficiency or interest in the field of biblical Tyler, who was also a Professor of eology studies.” e prize is in the name of William from 1834 to 1857. e Hartranft Scholarship Fund provides a ompson, who was Dean and Professor of course tuition waiver to a degree program Hebrew Language and Literature from 1834 e recipients of the three prizes were student who “has demonstrated excellence in to 1881, after which he was Dean Emeritus recognized at graduation ceremonies on written expression.” e prize is in the name until 1889. June 1. a of Chester David Hartranft, who was President of the Seminary from 1889 to Tricia Pethic, a student in the Islamic 1903, and was Professor of Biblical and Chaplaincy Program, has received a Ecclesiastical History from 1878 to 1914. scholarship from the Bennett Tyler Scholarship Fund for her paper, “e Power
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 11 • Next Steps
Hartford Seminary: Taking The Next Step her get there.’ Certified Pastoral Education When she was nearing course, she realized she had completion of her degree, she In WLI, Ilona quickly discovered found her vocation – as a was offered a job as hospice that “the energy and spirit- chaplain. chaplain by the organization expanding experience within where she had been a volunteer. Hartford Seminary was what I “e flexibility I had in the type “is would not have occurred if had been looking for (knowingly of courses I took allowed me to I had not gone to Hartford or not!) for a while.” She discover where my passions lay Seminary,” she says. continued on to complete a and design a program which Graduate Certificate and “when really helped prepare me for the Ilona would tell people I just couldn’t stop,” a Master of challenges of being an interfaith considering the Seminary that it When Ilona Kwiecien enrolled as Arts with a focus in spirituality. chaplain. e Seminary’s can be of help either in an auditor in the Women’s interfaith dialogue classes were a furthering a career or, as in her Leadership Institute at Hartford Ilona did not have a job in mind treasure in this regard, as were case, discovering a new one. a Seminary, it was the start of a when she started but she hoped the spirituality courses and other journey that has led to a new to use what she was learning in a favorites.,” Ilona says. career. And the Seminary helped meaningful way. During her first
Alumni/ae Notes
e Rev. Robert H. Calvert, B.D. ’55, sent along information on Along with his contribution to the 2012 Annual Fund, the Rev. a book authored in 2008 by classmate Dr. Robert L. Polk, B.D. Howard L. Harris, M.Div. ’47, included a note which read, “e ’55, entitled, “Tight Little Island: Chicago’s West Woodlawn 77 Sherman St. address has many good memories. It was our Neighborhood, 1900-1950 in the Words of Its Inhabitants.” Dr. address from 1944 to 1947. As Quakers we especially remember Polk was born and raised in the West Woodlawn section of Alexander Purdy and Moses Bailey. It was a great growing time in Chicago, and went on to serve in a variety of ministerial positions, my life and my late wife Rosemary. I am professor emeritus, including 14 years at the Riverside Church in New York City, and anthropology, Western Washington University, and 94 years old. as dean of the chapel at Dillard University in New Orleans. Just I still teach a couple of correspondence courses.” before his retirement, Dr. Polk was Executive Director of the New York City Council of Churches. Now living in the Philadelphia e Rev. Chuck West, B.D. ’53, recently communicated news of area, he is able to connect with the Rev. Calvert and his wife the death of his wife, Mary Ellen, in August of 2011, and shared Anne, and more Class of 1955 friends, the Rev. Charles Baboian “best wishes for everyone at Hartford.” and his wife Sandra. In addition to his work as a consultant in the healthcare field, Craig Phillips, M.A. ’12 and his wife, Mahdiye, have relocated to improving revenue cycle systems in hospitals and medical Falls Church, Virginia, and Craig now works in Washington, DC, practices, the Rev. Dr. Mark Heilshorn, D.Min. ’08, continues to at the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) in the do ministry in the area of men’s spirituality, writing and leading Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Among the both workshops and retreats on the subject. is fall Mark will be office’s functions are to serve as an agency liaison to the faith teaching a men’s spirituality course through the Spiritual Life community, most often with faith-based organizations doing Center in West Hartford called “On the Edge of Fire.” a development work around the world.
12 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Obituaries Hartford Seminary Community Mourns the Deaths of James Fenhagen, Walter Wink
e Rev. Canon James C. e Rev. Dr. Walter Wink, who taught Fenhagen, who was Director of at Hartford Seminary from 1976 to the Church and Ministry 1980, passed away on May 10. Program at Hartford Seminary in the late 1970s, has passed away. After he left the Seminary, he became Dean and President of General eological Seminary. A Eucharist in his memory was celebrated in the Chapel of Good Shepherd at GTS in May.
James Fenhagen (PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC) - Angels' Episcopal Church in Columbia SC Locally, he served as the Chairman for the - e Reverend James Corner Fenhagen, 82, before becoming active in academic settings. Georgetown County Mental Health died at Tidelands Community Hospice on Association and was a member of Friends of April 5, 2012. He was Director of the Church and Ministry Brookgreen Gardens. Program at the Hartford Seminary e Reverend Fenhagen was a native of Foundation. He attended Holy Cross Faith Memorial Baltimore, MD and graduated from St. Episcopal Church, Pawleys Island, SC. Paul's School. He attended Washington and He was named President and Dean of the Lee University in Lexington VA before General eological Seminary in New York e Reverend Fenhagen is survived by his receiving his BA from the University of the City in 1978 and retired from there in 1992. wife Eulalie McFall Fenhagen; two sons, South, Sewanee, TN in 1951. He received a James Corner Fenhagen III and his wife Master of Divinity from the Virginia He then became Director of the Cornerstone Julianne (Montclair NJ) and John McFall eological Seminary in 1954, and in later Project of the Episcopal Church Foundation, Fenhagen (Georgetown, SC); and two years was awarded honorary degrees from the retiring in 1995. He came out of retirement grandchildren, Aaron David Fenhagen and Virginia eological Seminary, the to serve as President and Warden of the Jessica Moreno Trahan. He was predeceased University of the South School of eology, College of Preachers at Washington National in 2005 by a daughter Eulalie Swinton and Washington and Lee University. Cathedral, from 2001-2004. Fenhagen.
e Reverend Fenhagen served as Rector of He authored five books and lectured at and several parishes in Maryland, the District of led conferences in the US and abroad. Columbia, and at St. Michael and All
Walter Wink, a groundbreaking figure in the response to such powers. He is considered a the use of violence throughout our culture. field of New Testament theology, died on major contributor to progressive Christian He was active with nonviolence training May 10 in Sandisfield, Mass., at the age of thinking on current political and cultural throughout the world, including apartheid- 76. issues. era South Africa.
Wink's seminal work focused on the biblical Wink wrote about non-violence, lectured on He also wrote and spoke on topics such as "principalities and powers," the psycho- the topic around the world, and coined the homosexuality and the Bible, psychology socio-political structures governing society phrase "the myth of redemptive violence," and biblical studies, and Jesus as a historical throughout history, and the Christian addressing the underlying justification for figure. Continued on Page 14
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 13 • Obituaries
His teaching focused on his pioneering Wink was the author of over a dozen books, United Methodist Church, in Hitchcock, method of Bible study incorporating Jungian including the award-winning Naming the Texas from 1962 to 1967. interpretation, meditation, artwork, and Powers (1982), Unmasking the Powers (1986), movement. is method and its rationale Engaging the Powers (1992), When the Powers He earned Master of Divinity and Ph.D. were first presented in his controversial book, Fall (1998), and e Human Being (2002). degrees from Union eological Seminary in e Bible in Human Transformation (1973), New York City, where he taught until 1976. which has since found wide acceptance. He also received numerous awards for his work as a scholar and activist, including the For many years he attended the South Most of Wink's workshops were presented Unitas Award from Union eological County Friends Meeting in Great jointly with his wife, June Keener Wink, who Seminary, e United States Institute for Barrington, MA. specializes in creative movement. Peace, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize from the Fellowship of Reconciliation. He is survived by his wife June, brother He was Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Dick, sons Steve and Chris, daughter Auburn eological Seminary in New York Born in Dallas, Texas in 1935, he graduated Rebecca, stepsons Kim and Kurt, and eight City from 1976 until he retired as Professor from Southern Methodist University in 1956 grandchildren. Emeritus in 2005. and was ordained a United Methodist minister in 1961. He served as Pastor of First
In Memoriam
e Hartford Seminary community has lost the following beloved e Right Reverend John H. Smith, D.Min. ’80, died on June 2 in members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and Brunswick, Maine after a two-year struggle with leukemia. He was families. 82. Ordained in 1965, Bishop Smith led the Diocese of West Virginia from 1989 to 1999, after serving parishes in Maine and e Seminary community mourned the death of Dawn Mays-Hardy, Vermont. In addition to Hartford Seminary, he was a graduate of 53, who had been studying in the Doctor of Ministry program. General eological Seminary, and was awarded an honorary Doctor Dawn died on June 3. She was born in Atlantic City, NJ, and of Divinity degree from both General and Virginia eological graduated from Rutgers University and New York eological Seminary. An advocate for the vitality of small parishes, Bishop Seminary, from which she received her Master of Divinity. Dawn Smith wrote “Cluster Ministry: A Faithful Response to Change” in worked as a policy director for the American Lung Association in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Victoria, two daughters, a son and New England, ministered at Cross Street AME Zion Church in four grandchildren. Middletown, and had come to Hartford Seminary to explore her vision of holistic ministry. She is survived by her husband, Clarence, e Rev. Ned Pierson, B.D. ’54, died April 15, 2012 in Holland, MI, daughter, LaRae, her mother and four siblings. at the age of 82. A native of Connecticut, Ned was ordained by the Presbyterian Church USA and served congregations in Brooklyn, Both Paul Varga, B.D. ’54 and Bob Calvert, B.D. ’55, sent word that New York; Framingham, Massachusetts; Baltimore, Maryland; Rocky Carol J. omas, wife of their classmate the Rev. Oliver omas, ’55, River, Ohio; and Orchard Lake and Albion, Michigan. He is died on May 3, 2012 in Minnesota. Carol studied in the School of survived by his wife, Jean, his sister, daughter and son, two Religious Education while her husband pursued his divinity degree. granddaughters and a great-grandson. a She “will be remembered for her emotional strength and optimism. In addition to her husband, Mrs. omas is survived by her daughter and two sons, two grandsons, and her brother.
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 14 • Events
Educational Events at Hartford Seminary
If you wish to register for any of these educational events, you can register at www.hartsem.edu and where appropriate pay online by clicking the "register and pay" icon. Or you can contact [email protected] for a registration form.
God’s Word in Greek Reading “e Letter to the Hebrews” With e Rev. Dr. Edward F. Duffy, Adjunct Professor of New Testament and Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, CT Monthly workshop, starting September 6 in Fairfield, CT, and September 11 in Hartford
A Lunchtime Talk and Book Signing Ibn Taymiyya: Against Extremisms With Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations Monday, September 24 Noon
Carew/Purdy Lecture Money in Politics: e High Cost of "Free" Speech With Dr. Michael Rion, President of Hartford Seminary from 1983-1989 and recently retired after more than two decades as an independent business ethics consultant ursday, October 4 7 p.m.
Lecture Understanding Muslim Societies With Yale University Professor Ellen Lust Wednesday, October 17 6:30 p.m. Co-Sponsor: World Affairs Council of Connecticut
Concert Brenda McMorrow, Canadian Devotional Chant artist ursday, October 18 7:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion Contemplative Traditions within Judaism, Christianity and Islam With Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations; Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations; and Miriam erese Winter, Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality Friday, October 19 1:30 p.m. Location: Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT is panel discussion will be part of “Mindful Education: Building Inner Resilience,” a day of reflection and meditation, organized by the Central Forum for Contemplative Practices at Central Connecticut State University.
15 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Events
Educational Events at Hartford Seminary (continued)
A Lunchtime Talk Monotheism from the Perspective of the Abrahamic Faiths with Master of Arts Student Safi Haider Tuesday, October 23 Noon
Book Signing and Commentary A Willing Heart: How to Serve When You ink You Can’t with author Marci Alborghetti ursday, November 8 7 p.m.
Biennial Willem A. Bijlefeld Lecture Sunnism and Shi’ism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow With Dr. Seyyed Hossain Nasr Tuesday, November 13 7 p.m.
Workshop Growing Sustainable Ministries For and With Youth With e Rev. Da Vita D. McCallister, Associate Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adults in the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ Wednesday, Nov. 14 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pantheism to Polytheism: From the One to the Many With Dr. Sheenu Srinivasan, Hindu priest and author of “Hinduism for Dummies” Tuesday, November 20 7 p.m.
How Do Christians Envision the Future of Interreligious Relationships in the Post-Assad Syria? With Najib Awad, Associate Professor of Christian eology Tuesday, November 27 7 p.m.
Book Signing and Commentary Master Kierkegaard: Summer 1847, Fall/Winter/Spring 1847–1848 and Summer 1848 With author Ellen Brown ursday, December 6 7 p.m.
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 16 • Course Schedule
Fall Course Schedule
Hartford Seminary’s 2012 Fall Semester will run from Tuesday, September 4 through ursday, December 20. e Seminary’s courses are open to the public and carry three graduate level credits.
Individuals who do not wish to take courses for credit may apply to take courses as an auditor.
For those enrolled in a three-credit course, the cost is $1,890. e non-credit audit fee is $575 A special audit fee of $385 is available for: persons age 60 and older, persons 55 and older receiving disability income, graduates of Hartford Seminary degree programs or the Certificate of Professional Ministry (cooperative M.Div.), donors of $250 a year or more, Hartford Seminary Adjunct Faculty, and up to three specially designated members of churches that participate in the International Peacemaking Program of the Seminary. ere is a limit of one course per academic year to receive the special rate except persons age 60 and older, for whom there is no limit.
To register, please contact the registrar’s office at (860) 509-9511. Her email is [email protected]. To see specific course syllabi or learn more about Hartford Seminary and its faculty, visit our website, www.hartsem.edu.
You also may access a registration form online.
ARTS OF MINISTRY Mental Health: An Islamic Perspective (AM-653) Online, beginning September 4 is course will familiarize students with the basic concepts of mental illness to facilitate their communication with multidisciplinary teams including both health and mental health professionals, and help them to gain an awareness of the cultural factors particular to the Muslim community. Hamada Hamid, Adjunct Professor of Arts of Ministry and Clinical Instructor in Neurology and in Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
Information Literacy for Islamic Studies (AM-677) ursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., beginning September 6 Students will learn how to think critically concerning information produced about Islam from both within and without the religion. Pre- requisite: one year of Arabic or permission of the instructor. Steven Blackburn, Faculty Associate in Semitic Scriptures and Librarian
DIALOGUE Dialogue in a World of Difference (DI-530) Friday, 9/7 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9/8 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 9/9 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 10/12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday 10/13 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 10/14 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 11/9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday 11/10 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 11/11 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students and faculty in a collegial setting will explore in depth the principles and the practice of dialogue in a pluralistic world through dialogical listening and cross-cultural conversations in a context of diversity. Heidi Hadsell, Professor of Social Ethics and President, Hartford Seminary; Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations; and Omar Awass, Visiting Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
17 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Course Schedule
Fall Course Schedule (continued)
ETHICS eological Ethics and the Personal Life (ET-545) Online, beginning September 4 is course will examine issues of personal morality and faith. e course begins with a brief introduction to theological ethics, and then moves to practical issues in personal morality, which will be discussed in relation to family and society. e Rev. Dr. Molly James, Adjunct Professor of eology and Ethics and Priest, Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut.
HISTORY e Life of the Prophet Muhammad (HI-536) Online, beginning September 4 rough translated selections of original historical sources, the course will survey interpretations of the personality and achievement of the Prophet made by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars.Omer Awass, Visiting Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
Building an Inclusive Christianity: Listening to the Voices of Women (HI-612) NEW Tuesdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Dec. 4, Dec. 18 (Make-up day if needed) e focus of this course is the careful, critical reading of primary texts by and about women from the Bible to the 21st century, with a focus on the Middle Ages. Elizabeth Dreyer, Adjunct Professor of eology and Professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Islamic History II (HI-625) Tuesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., beginning September 4 is course continues the exploration of the history of Islamic societies and civilization, from the beginnings of the major pre-modern Islamic empires and Islam’s expansion into Africa and South-Asia until the colonization of most of the Islamic world by European powers, the struggles for independence and the creation of contemporary Muslim nation-states. Timur Yuskaev, Assistant Professor of Contemporary Islam
LANGUAGE Introduction to New Testament Greek, Part I (LG-561) Tuesdays, from 12:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., beginning September 4 e focus of this introductory course, which assumes no prior knowledge of the Greek language, is on the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. Edward F. Duffy, Adjunct Professor of New Testament and Minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, CT
Introduction to Arabic: Phonology and Script (LG-580) Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., beginning September 5 Students will master the writing system of standard Arabic, as well as the sounds of the language. A basic vocabulary of over 100 words will be learned, and at the end of the term students will be able to engage in short, simple conversations. Steven Blackburn, Faculty Associate in Semitic Scriptures and Librarian
Readings in the Greek New Testament, Part I (LG-661) Tuesdays, from 12:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., beginning September 4 is intermediate level course is designed to enable students to read the New Testament in Greek, concentrating on grammar and vocabulary building. Edward F. Duffy, Adjunct Professor of New Testament and Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, CT
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 18 • Course Schedule
Fall Course Schedule (continued)
RELIGION AND SOCIETY World Religions and Worldly Politics: Church/State Relations Around the World (RS-655) Tuesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., beginning September 4 ere are a wide variety of constitutional approaches to “church/state” relations around the world. is course will explore a broad spectrum of these and how their roots and current implementation and implications are inextricably intertwined with religious politics. David Roozen, Professor of Religion and Society
Contemporary American Religion (RS-667) Wednesdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 5 is course introduces students to the religious diversity that has arisen in the U.S. over the past 50 years. It also explores the prominent place of religion in our seemingly secular nation. Scott umma, Professor of Sociology of Religion and Director, Doctor of Ministry Program
SCRIPTURE Hebrew Bible Survey II (SC-520) Wednesdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 5 Survey II will examine the prophetic corpus, poetry wisdom and the rest of “the writings” in the Hebrew Bible. Uriah Kim, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible
New Testament Survey (SC-531) Tuesdays and ursdays, from 7:40 p.m. to 9:10 p.m., beginning September 4 is course introduces students to the study of the origins of Christianity by means of its canonical literature, the New Testament. We will undertake a historical study of the New Testament documents, seeking to understand their plan, origin, purpose and content within their broader historical and cultural context. Appropriate interpretive method for each genre of the New Testament will be discussed. We will also seek to clarify the theological message of each document in light of its historical circumstances. Shanell T. Smith, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins
Images of Jesus in Christian and Muslim Sacred Writings (SC-636) Mondays, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 10 In this course we will study the birth, mission, death and resurrection and eschatological role of Jesus in Christian and Muslim sacred writings. Mahmoud Ayoub, Faculty Associate in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations
Psychological Insight into Scripture: New Directions in Biblical Studies (SC-660) ursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., beginning September 6 An introduction to psychological biblical criticism, exploring the contributions of C. G. Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Viktor Frankl, along with insights from cognitive , developmental and behavioral psychology, toward an understanding of the human psyche (soul) and its role in the history of the Bible and biblical interpretation. Wayne Rollins, Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies
THEOLOGY Introduction to Christian eology: e Basic Components of Christian Faith and Life (TH-500) NEW Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., beginning September 5 is course aims at getting students into a comprehensive survey of all the major dogmatic elements in the Christian confessions and theological discourses. Najib Awad, Associate Professor of Christian eology
19 H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis • Course Schedule
Fall Course Schedule (continued)
THEOLOGY (continued) Introduction to Black eology (TH-526) Mondays, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 10 is course will examine the human condition in light of God’s liberating activity. Liberation theology, womanist theology, and the theologies of oppressed peoples will be explored as a method of investigating, explicating, and critiquing religious thought. Benjamin Watts, Faculty Associate in the Arts of Ministry and Senior Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, New London, CT
Introduction to Islamic eology (TH-553) Tuesdays and ursdays, from 7:40 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 6 (12 weeks) is course explores the content and structure of Islamic belief, as elaborated by Muslim classical thinkers (7th-15th centuries), in relation to a selection of representative texts. Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
Religion, Conflict and Peacemaking (TH-648) ursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., beginning September 6 is course will explore the paradox of religion as a source of division and conflict, on the one hand, and of peaceful aspirations and compassionate, sacrificial service on the other. Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations
WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY Resurrecting Jesus: Quantum Spirit, Inclusive Spirituality (WS-642) Mondays, from 5:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., beginning September 10 (11 sessions) In this course we return to Jesus, the Jewish mystic at the core of Christianity, to wrestle once again with such challenging questions as: “Who do people say that I am?’ and “Who do you say that I am?” Together we will seek to discern his 21st-century spirit as we shape an emerging spirituality made visible through a quantum lens. Miriam erese Winter, Professor of Liturgy, Worship, Spirituality and Feminist Studies
H ARTFORD S EMINARY Praxis 20 •